The Best Fast Food Chain For Gluten-Free Diners

For those who follow a gluten-free diet, stopping by fast food restaurants to grab a quick bite isn't always easy. This task often requires sifting through menu items and ingredient lists, hoping for gluten-free menu options or potential substitutions. Luckily, not every fast food joint makes it difficult to avoid gluten — a great variety of items from one of the most popular fast-food chains cater directly to gluten-free diets: the notorious Taco Bell. 

The nice thing about Taco Bell's menu is the range of gluten-free items the menu provides. For example, if you have a soft spot for hard shell tacos, you can still partake in these delicious delicacies like the nacho cheese-flavored Doritos or regular hard shell tacos, rice, beans, and various proteins like grilled chicken and Taco Bell's famous ground beef. According to the allergen information on Taco Bell's website, the hot sauce options that steer clear of gluten are the Hot, Mild, Diablo, and Avocado Salsa Verde. 

As for items to skip at T-Bell, avoid soft shells, tortilla chips, and, surprisingly, their nacho cheese sauce, which also contains gluten. Another disclaimer from this Mexican-inspired chain is that the chain cannot 100% guarantee there's no cross-contamination with gluten. So, if you suffer from severe celiac disease, it may be best to pass on that late-night Taco Bell trip.

Not only has Taco Bell remained an affordable option for customers, it also offers many interchangeable menu items. You can easily add, remove, or replace ingredients to keep your favorite dish gluten-free. For example, if you typically love a supreme soft taco loaded with sour cream, cheese, and lettuce, then simply get the same ingredients on a crunchy hard shell. Or, consider making a gluten-free version of the cheesy fiesta potatoes. To do so, skip out on the nacho cheese (since it contains gluten) and ask for shredded cheese instead. You can also create a loaded version by adding ground taco meat, black beans, lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes for the ultimate nacho-inspired take with crispy, flavorful, salty potatoes as the base.

Another popular menu item for gluten-free diners is the Power Menu Bowl, which features rice, beans, a protein of choice, and various fresh toppings. Top your bowl off with an order of guacamole for a rich, tangy, and creamy finish that's gluten-free. Of course, when strolling through the drive-thru, gluten-free diners should consider adding one of Taco Bell's popular frozen Baja Blasts to their order, because you can't forget to wash down your fast casual Mexican food with an ice-cold beverage. Both the regular Mountain Dew soft drink and the "freeze" version offered on Taco Bell menus are free of gluten, and perfect for pairing with the salty, spicy, gluten-free menu items.